Lanyard device for children

ABSTRACT

The lanyard device for children is a device including a collar having a plurality of lanyards detachably secured thereto via an array of rings. Toys or other paraphernalia are detachably secured to the lanyards. The collar may be removably attached to a structure so that the lanyards are within easy reach of the child. The structure could be any structure used to secure a child therein (high chair, stroller, car seat, etc.). The collar and lanyards are designed to prevent the infant from being ensnared therein. The collar rings and lanyards are fabricated in various textures and colors so as to stimulate the infant&#39;s sensory perceptions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/923,624 filed Apr. 16, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to accessories for children.More specifically the present invention relates to a lanyard device forchildren for supporting a variety of toys and other children'sparaphernalia in close proximity to a child.

2. Description of the Related Art

While strapped into a car seat, highchair or the like, it seems thatinfants drop toys or utensils to the floor with monotonous regularity.With a painful howl, the infant demands that the dropped object bereturned at once. It is often inconvenient for the caregiver toimmediately retrieve the object of the infant's affection. Furthermorethe object may pick up dirt and germs from the floor and needs to bewiped cleaned (adding another task for the caregiver) before the objectcan safely be returned to the infant. The art would certainly welcome asafe device that would support an array of objects (including toys andutensils) within easy reach of an infant and also prevent the objectsfrom falling out of reach if dropped. Thus, a lanyard device forchildren solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The lanyard device for children is suitable for children from six monthsto five years of age. The device comprises a collar having a pluralityof lanyards detachably secured thereto via an array of rings. Toys orother paraphernalia are detachably secured to the lanyards. The collarmay be removably attached to a structure so that the lanyards are withineasy reach of the child. For safety reasons, it has been determined thatthe collar should be attached at least 15″ below the chin of the child.As indicated above, the structure could be any structure used to securea child therein (highchair, stroller, car seat, etc.). The collar andlanyards are designed to prevent the infant from being ensnared therein.The collar rings and lanyards are fabricated in various textures andcolors in order to stimulate the infant's sensory perceptions.

Accordingly, the invention presents an accessory adapted to secure achild's toys and other objects in a manner to prevent such toys andobjects from being dropped or thrown. Compact, lightweight and easilytransported, the accessory is easily cleaned and is resistant tochemical attacks from mild disinfectants or the hot temperatures anddetergents typically found in dishwashers or washing machines. Theaccessory is devoid of sharp edges, pinch points, and small, removableparts that might inflict cuts or present a choking hazard to the infant.The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangementfor the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fullyeffective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a lanyard device forchildren according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lanyard device for children accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of a lanyard device for childrenaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective view of the details of a stretchablering for a lanyard device for children according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of the details of a connector clipfor a lanyard device for children according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a lanyard devicefor children according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1-3 wherein the lanyard device ofthe present invention is generally indicated at 10. Lanyard device 10 issupported from a structure 12 in easy reach of an infant C, which infantis strapped in a high chair 14 or the like. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and3, lanyard device 10 comprises a collar member 16 having an array ofloops 16 a spaced along the length of the collar. As presentlycontemplated, collar 16 is provided with seven loops 16 a. It should benoted however, that the collar could be designed with more or fewerloops if desired. Collar 16 is fabricated from a sturdy flexiblematerial and has an overall maximum length of approximately twelveinches for safety reasons, as discussed below. A releasable clasp 18 isprovided for securing the ends of the collar together. Collar 16 isdesigned to be non-elastic as a safety feature to prevent ensnarement ofthe infant's hand, arm or neck between the collar and the structure towhich the collar is attached. The small diameter (approximately fourinches) of the collar, when secured, provides secure mounting to thestructure without the risk of the infant becoming ensnared. A respectivering member 20 is secured in each loop 16 a. A respective lanyard 22 isattached to each ring member 20. Each lanyard has a length up to 19.5inches to ensure that no strangulation hazard is present. Each lanyardis provided with a male snap fastener 24 fixed adjacent each end of eachlanyard at an appropriate distance from each end (approximately ¼ of aninch). Female (or male) snap fasteners 26 are spaced along the length ofeach lanyard and function to receive a male (or female) snap fastenertherein. This arrangement allows one end of each lanyard to be removablyattached to a respective ring 20. The other end of the lanyard can beadjusted (by selecting the proper female fastener) to secure a toy T(FIG. 1) or other selected objects to a respective lanyard.

The selected objects may include a closable pouch 30 for stowinglanyards not in use, an elastic band connector(s) (to be made availablein various sizes) 32 for releasably retaining various sized containerssuch as a sippy cup 32 a (FIG. 4), a small book or the like therein andan adjustable, non-pinching, clip connector 34 (FIG. 5) for retainingitems, such as small sunglasses or the like. In some instances certainconnectors may be permanently attached to a respective lanyard end in asafe conventional manner (sewing, staples non-toxic glue, etc.).Alternatively, the lanyard may be permanently attached to a respectivering member. In other instances a connector may be attached directly toa ring 20. It should be noted that the playthings, connectors and otherparaphernalia that may be attached to the lanyards or rings areinnumerable. A master storage container (not shown) may be provided tostore all the components of the lanyard device when not in use and toenhance portability. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment that incorporatesadjustable buckles 36 for attaching the lanyards to rings 20. Buckles 36are of the conventional side release type and may be utilized to connectas many lanyards as desired.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A lanyard device for children, comprising: a collar member having amaximum length, a first end and a second end; an array of loops disposedon the collar member, the loops being spaced along the length of thecollar; a corresponding ring member engaged in each of the loops; acorresponding lanyard attached to selected ones of the respective ringmembers; and a releasable clasp device attached to the first end and thesecond end of the collar member, wherein the first end and the secondend can be selectively fastened together.
 2. The lanyard device forchildren according to claim 1, wherein said collar member is fabricatedfrom an inelastic material.
 3. The lanyard device for children accordingto claim 1, wherein each of the lanyards has an adjustable length. 4.The lanyard device for children according to claim 1, wherein saidmaximum length of said collar is approximately twelve inches.
 5. Thelanyard device for children according to claim 1, wherein each lanyardhas a maximum length of 19.5 inches.
 6. The lanyard device for childrenaccording to claim 1, further including a closable pouch attached to oneof the respected ring members.
 7. The lanyard device for childrenaccording to claim 1, further including an elastic band attached to atleast one of the respected lanyards.
 8. The lanyard device for childrenaccording to claim 1, further including a plastic clip attached to oneof the respected lanyards.
 9. A lanyard device for children, comprising:a collar member having a maximum length of approximately twelve inches,a first end and a second end; an array of loops disposed on the collarmember, the loops being spaced along the length of the collar; acorresponding ring member engaged in at least one of the loops of thearray; a corresponding lanyard, having an adjustable length, attached toeach respective ring member; and a releasable clasp device attached tothe first end and the second end of the collar member, wherein the firstend and the second end can be selectively fastened together.
 10. Thelanyard device for children according to claim 9, wherein each of thelanyards has a first end and a second end, the lanyard device furthercomprising: corresponding male snap fasteners disposed adjacent each ofthe first ends and each of the second ends; and a corresponding array offemale snap members disposed along the length of each of the lanyards.11. The lanyard device for children according to claim 10, wherein saidcollar member is fabricated from an inelastic material.
 12. The lanyarddevice for children according to claim 10, wherein each said lanyard hasa maximum length of 19.5 inches.
 13. The lanyard device for childrenaccording to claim 10, further including a closable pouch attached toone of the respected ring members.
 14. The lanyard device for childrenaccording to claim 10, including at least one elastic band attached toone of the lanyards.
 15. The lanyard device for children according toclaim 10, including a clip attached to one of the respected lanyards.16. A lanyard device for children, comprising: a collar memberfabricated from inelastic material and having a maximum length ofapproximately twelve inches, the collar having a first end and a secondend; an array of loops disposed on the collar member, the loops beingspaced along the length; a corresponding ring member engaged in each ofthe loops of the array; a corresponding lanyard having an adjustablelength attached to each of the ring members; wherein each of thelanyards has a maximum length of 19.5 inches; and a releasable claspdevice attached to the first end and the second end of the collarmember, whereby the first end and the second end can be selectivelyfastened together.
 17. The lanyard device for children according toclaim 16, wherein each of the lanyards has a first end and a second end,and wherein a corresponding male snap fastener is disposed adjacent eachof said first ends and each of said second ends, and a correspondingarray of female snap members disposed along the length of each of thelanyards.
 18. The lanyard device for children according to claim 17,further including a closable pouch attached to one of the respected ringmembers.
 19. The lanyard device for children according to claim 17,further including at least one elastic band attached to one of thelanyards.
 20. The lanyard device for children according to claim 17,further including a clip attached to one of the lanyards.